Annual Report 2011 - Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna

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Partner Family Highlights Habitat Susquehanna Partner families are selected based on their level of need, willingness to partner with HHH, and the ability to repay a no-profit, zero interest loan. Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payment, partner families invest up to 500 hours of their own labor—sweat equity—into building their Habitat homes and the homes of others. During 2011, Habitat Susquehanna had an unprecedented level of partnership with The ARC Northern Chesapeake Region. Four of the ten homes built were for staff and families who receive support services from The ARC. TheHerbert Family Habitat Susquehanna supported me in realizing “the American Dream” - to own my own home. For me it is not just a home, but it is a future for my son. As the parent of a child with a developmental disability, my future planning for his needs is significantly different that those of the typical family. While this home has my name on the mortgage, it is really for my son, and one day his name will read as owner of the property. Community is an integral part of every person’s life, giving us all a sense of hope, belonging and significance. In the short time that we have lived here my son has already made friends. Many of these will be lifelong friends and neighbors thanks to the stability of home ownership which Habitat Susquehanna helped to make a reality for us. My biggest fear used to be wondering where my son would live if something happened to me. Now, thanks to Habitat Susquehanna, I have overcome one of the primary hurdles that face 84 Families attended family orientation meetings individuals with developmental disabilities - a place to live. My son has a home with friends and neighbors who have the opportunity to know him as he grows into adulthood. More than that, we have a community that we belong to and that we can give back to with the gifts we possess. My belief is that every person has value and simply needs the opportunity to share that. Habitat Susquehanna has blessed my family with the opportunity 252 Phone Calls regarding homeownership program to be a part of our community and to bring our gifts to help our community thrive. For their support and assistance, and their belief in myself and my son, I am forever grateful. We truly have obtained much more than just a house.
Warren - Price Family Kevin Warren and Lura Price yearn to create better lives for their four boys ages 16, 13, 11 and 7. Like most kids their age, the boys enjoy skateboarding, football, playing video games and they achieve good grades. Yet, life in a dangerous community made it difficult for this growing family to enjoy even a simple game of backyard football. The unsafe neighborhood was compounded by deteriorating living conditions. Their apartment was too small, lacked proper storage space, and was marked by untreated water damage, leaks and weak flooring. Kevin and Lura realized that, for their family to truly thrive, they needed to seek a fresh start. For several years, they tirelessly pursued homeownership, to no avail. Instead of quitting, the couple met with the Cecil County Housing Agency and joined the Federal Family Self-Sufficiency Program. As members of this program they received support, financial and credit education and access to home-buying assistance programs. A close friend referred them to Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna’s homeownership program, and Kevin and Lura took a leap of faith. They applied for a Habitat house of their own. Very soon, the family was approved by the Board of Directors as a Partner Family. The family immediately started earning sweat equity, a process that opened their eyes to the value of perseverance and responsible homeownership. They also forged meaningful relationships with other Habitat volunteers. In fact, Lura recently obtained full-time work thanks to the generosity of a fellow construction volunteer. “It’s great to know that there is help for people who want to help themselves but can’t seem to get both feet down,” says Lura. After many hours of volunteer work and financial education, the Warren-Price family moved from their too-small apartment into a much more suitable home on Cherry Lane in Elkton. “This is what we’ve been working for,” Lura expressed, her voice full of joy. Lura and the rest of her family wish to convey their deep gratitude to the home sponsors and volunteers who helped make homeownership possible. “Thank you for sponsoring us!” she exclaimed. “We do appreciate this very much.” 128 Hours were spent in homeownership classes by our partner families. As part of their sweat equity requirement and in partnership with APGFCU, we provided 128 hours of financial education which included the following classes: Financial Life Skills, Budgeting, Healthy Credit Habits & Finding Hidden Cash
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Annual Report 2011 - Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna

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